A/HRC/ 8/29 Page 3 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 of 18 June 2007, held its first session from 7 to 18 April 2008. The review of Algeria was held at the 11th meeting on 14 April 2008. The delegation of Algeria was headed by H.E. Mourad Medelci, Minister for Foreign Affairs. For the composition of the delegation, composed of 23 members, see annex to the present report. At its 15th meeting held on 16 April 2008, the Working Group adopted the present report on Algeria. 2. On 28 February 2008, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Algeria: Uruguay, Philippines, and Senegal. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to resolution 5/1, the following documents were issued for the review of Algeria: (a) A national report submitted in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/1/DZA/1); (b) A compilation prepared by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), in accordance with paragraph 15 (b) (A/HRC/WG.6/1/DZA/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR, in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/1/DZA/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Canada, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Romania, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Denmark, Ireland, Latvia, Portugal and Sweden was transmitted to Algeria through the troika. These questions are available on the extranet of the UPR. I. SUMMARY OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE REVIEW PROCESS A. Presentation by the State under review 5. At the 11th meeting, on 14 April 2008, H.E. Mourad Medelci, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Algeria, introduced the national report. The Minister said that the report was prepared in collaboration with all the segments of the Algerian society that expressed their interest in participating in such exercise, which, in his opinion, will be beneficial for his country as a component of the efforts of self-evaluation and governance undertaken by Africa. 6. At present, the Algerian State was engaged in the accomplishment of two major initiatives: first, the consolidation of internal peace after the long period of violence started in 1990s, and, second, to continue with institutional and structural reform. With regard to human rights, Algeria has adopted the principle of universality and an increasing engagement in the ratification of international instruments. In addition to being a party to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and to the Arab Charter on Human Rights, Algeria recently ratified the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (ICRMW) (April 2005) and signed the International Convention on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (February 2007) and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (March 2007). 7. On 9 October 2002, the President of the Republic set up the National Advisory Committee on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights (CNCPPDH), which has 44 members, including